Display apparatus for banded merchandise

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for displaying banded merchandise, such as fan belts, providing good customer visibility, ease of removal and replacement, lack of damage to the merchandise and efficient utilization of available display space. The present invention is comprised of (i) one or more horizontally disposed main members, each having disposed along its periphery a plurality of paired vertical members adapted for holding the bands of banded merchandise, and (ii) a support structure adapted to support the main members in their horizontal attitudes. In use, the band of an article of banded merchandise which is to be display is slipped over one of the vertical members. The band holds the article of merchandise while the vertical member and the main member of which it is a part support the band, thereby holding the merchandise in place for display and removal. One preferred embodiment of this invention comprises (i) a pair of concentric circumferential main members, vertically displaced from one another, each having disposed around its periphery a plurality of vertically paired members, and (ii) a floor-standing vertical support structure disposed through the centers of the spaces enclosed by the main members and to which the main members are rotatably coupled.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,709,374 David [4 1 Jan. 9, 1973v 1541 DISPLAY APPARATUS FOR BANDED MERCHANDISE [57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Melvin J. David, 16221 Quemada Road, Encino, Calif. 91316 [22] Filed: July 21, 1971 [2 1] Appl. No.: 164,735

[52] 11.8. C1 ..211/163 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 5/02 [58] Field olSearch ..21l/l63,59,58,44,61, 13, 211/70, 78,18], 57,77, 75, 32, 96,100, 99

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 486,640 11/1892 Gingras ..211/59 923,705 6/1909 Reyher... 211/163 1,445,029 2/1923 Orrill 211/70 X 2,015,620 9/1935 Cuthbert ..211/96 2,065,845 12/1936 Weaver ..211/56 3,245,547 4/1966 Felkay ..211/59 3,452,880 7/1969 Kovacik et a1 211/163 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11/1937 Great Britain... ..211/163 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Attorney-Spensley, Horn and Lubitz An apparatus for displaying banded merchandise, such as fan belts, providing good customer visibility, ease of removal and replacement, lack of damage to the merchandise and efficient utilization of available display space. The present invention is comprised of (i) one or more horizontally disposed main members, each having disposed along its periphery a plurality of paired vertical members adapted for holding the bands of banded merchandise, and (ii) a support structure adapted to support the main members in their horizontal attitudes. In use, the band of an article of banded merchandise which is to be display is slipped over one of the vertical members. The band holds the article of merchandise while the vertical member and the main member of whichit is a part support the band, thereby holding the merchandise in place for display and removal. One preferred embodiment of this invention comprises (i) a pair of concentric cir cumferential main members, vertically displaced from one another, each having disposed around its periphery a plurality of vertically paired members, and (ii) a floor-standing vertical support structure disposed through the centers of the spaces enclosed by the main members and to which the main members are rotatably coupled.

26 1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is generally related to the field of merchandise display structures, and, more particularly, to' structures adapted for the display of banded merchandise.

2. Prior Art Commercial merchandising requires display structures which enable a merchandiser to display his wares efficiently and effectively with respect to the following factors: customer visibility and accessibility; ease of removal; easy of replacement; and utilization of space available for display of merchandise. A typical prior art apparatus for the display of banded merchandise, such as rolls of yarn and fan belts, consists of a plurality of straight or hooked rods mounted horizontally in a pegboard, wall or other supporting means. The articles of merchandise are looped over the rods and displayed therefrom in that manner. Usually, more than one article is looped over a particular rod wherever the length of the rod and the bulkiness of the article permit.

Prior art display structures of the abovedescribed kind have two principal disadvantages. The first relates to potential damage to the merchandise due to its own weight. Since the entire weight of the article is supported by a relatively thin rod, the pressure applied to that portion of the article which is in contact with the rod may be adversely high, depending, of course, upon the weight of the article. In the case of fan belts, the weight is usually sufficient to cause a relatively high pressure to be applied continuously to the edge of the belt where contact is made with the rod. This may result in a weak spot developing in the belt in the region subjected to the pressure. In addition, the remainder of the belt tends to bend around the supporting rod. This may result in a deformation of the shape of the belt. In either event, the quality of the belt is degraded. Ina similar manner, strands of yarn or wool may be adversely stretched if a large roll thereof is continuously suspended from such a prior art display apparatus by only a few loops.

The second principal disadvantage is the poor customer visibility and accessibility aflorded by such prior art structures. Only the outermost article of merchandise can be readily seen and/or removed. If a customer assumes that the articlesare arranged so that those behind the outermost one are of the same size, style, color, model number, etc., then, to the extent that they are not, the merchandiser has lost a potential sale. In order to preclude this from happening, therefore, it becomes incumbent upon the merchandiser to continuously expend labor to maintain the proper arrangement of the merchandise on the display apparatus. On the other hand,- if a customer looks behind the outermost articles and finds one which he wants, then in order to get it, he must slide off the rod those articles suspended forward of the one he has selected, and then replace them. Such inconvenient visibility and accessibility defeats the main ob jactive of a merchandise display apparatus.

Some prior art display structures for banded merchandise provide individual display of each article of merchandise, as, for example, a wall mounted peg- 2 board having short horizontal support rods or hooks. This kind of structure has .the disadvantages as described above, except that merchandise visibility and access are poor only with respect to articles which are displayed at heights which are significantly higher than v v 6 feet or less than 3 feet. In the former case, a ladder or stool may be required in order to read a label or to remove the article. In the latter case, inconvenient bending is required. A further disadvantage is evident in such structures, to wit: a large area of wall must be.

utilized to display a relatively small number of articles, particularly when the articles are long as is the case with fan belts.

The present invention overcomes these shortcomings and limitations of the prior art by disclosing an apparatus which (i) supports each article of banded merchandise by its band rather than by its edge or by one or more of its loops; (ii) displays each article individually at heights which enable good visibility and accessibility; (iii) enables easy removal and replacement of each article; and (iv) make efficient utilization of space by compactly displaying a relatively large number of articles without adversely affecting visibility or accessibility.

An additional factor in evaluating the effectiveness of a display apparatus relates to the ease with which it can be transported and assembled. The greater the'cost of packaging and shipment and the more time required to assemble it, the less economic benefit will be derived by the merchandiser from using the display apparatus. The present invention discloses an apparatus which can be readily packaged and shipped andwhich can be as-. sembled in a relatively short time without special tools or skills required. r

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus for effectively displaying banded merchandise, such as rolls of yarn and fan belts. It is comprised of (i) one or more horizontally disposed main members, each having disposed along its periphery a plurality of paired vertical members adapted to engage'and hold the bands of banded merchandise, and (ii) a support structure adapted to support the main members in their horizon tal orientation. In use, the band of an article of banded merchandise is slipped over one of the vertical members. The vertical member and. the main member of which it is a part support the band while the band holds the merchandise. In this manner, the article of merchandise is held in place for display and removal. The use of pairs of vertical members at each point around the periphery of the main members enables the support and display of banded merchandise on both sides of the main member.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of two concentric enclosed circumferential main members vertically displaced from one another and supported by an upright structure adapted to stand on the floor. The vertical axis of the upright structure passes through the imaginary centers of the space defined by the circumferential members. The circumferential main members are rotatably coupled to the upright structure at positions along its vertical axis.

Disposed around the periphery of each: circumferential main member is a plurality of paired vertical members adapted to engage and support the bands of banded merchandise. One vertical member of each vertical pairis disposed on the outer side of the circumferential member, while the second vertical member is disposed on the inner side. As will become more clear from the detailed description hereinbelow, the use of pairs of vertical members enables the support and display of band merchandise both within and without the spaces defined by the circumferential members.

A second preferred embodiment is comprised of a linear main member supported by a support arm which is coupled to a wall-mounted or pegboard-mounted fitting. The main member has the plurality of paired vertical members which is characteristic of the present invention.

The present invention also contemplates the addition of removable identification tags affixed to the horizontal main members and suspended therefrom.

Thus, it is a principal object of the present invention to enable the display of banded merchandise with maximum visibility and accessibility.

It is another principal object of this invention to display banded merchandise by engaging the band and not the merchandise, thereby avoiding degradation of the merchandise.

It is a further object of the present invention to enable the efficient use of available display space in the display of banded merchandise.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a display apparatus for banded merchandise which enables easy removal and replacement of the merchandise.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which two presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment showing two hexagonal enclosed main members supported by an upright structure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the typical pair of vertical members shown in FIG. 1, taken along the view line 2-2, depicting the manner in which an identification tag is secured to the vertical member.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the first preferred embodiment taken along the view line 33, showing the manner in which banded fan belts are held in place.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a second preferred embodiment showing a linear main member supported by a wall-mounted support arm.

FIG. 5 is a first alternate embodiment of the typical pair of vertical members shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a second alternate embodiment of the typical pair of vertical members shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a third alternative embodiment of the typical pair of vertical members shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a fourth alternate embodiment of the typical pair of vertical members shown in FIG. 3,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e and 13f of the hexagon and held in a parallel spaced horizontal relationship. Rods 12a and 12b can be joined by conventional techniques or can be stamped out as a single integral structure.

Affixed to the main member 12 around its periphery is a plurality of paired vertical members 14 and 14' adapted to engage and hold the bands typically used on banded merchandise. All the vertical members 14' are disposed within the space defined by main member 12 while all vertical members 14 are disposed on the outer side of main member 12. This disposition of the vertical members 14 and 14' enables the display apparatus 10 to support and display banded merchandise 52' and 52 both within and without the space defined by the main member 12 respectively. The relationship of vertical members 14 and 14 with respect to rods 12a and 12b of main member 12 is shown in enlarged view in FIG. 2. In embodiment 10 the vertical members 14 (and 14') each consist of two parallel vertical legs 42a and 42b, joined at their tops to form a triangularly shaped connection. Vertical members 14 and 14 can be spot welded to rods 12a and 12b or, alternatively, the entire structure can be stamped out of, for example, 18 gauge sheet metal, and then placed in the configuration shown by metal working techniques known in the art. The spacing of the pairs of vertical members 14 and 14' is a function of the particular application in which the invention is practiced.

A second horizontally disposed circumferential main member 16 is vertically displaced from main member 12. In embodiment l0 depicted in FIG. 1 the second main member 16 is also hexagonal in shape, but it is dimensionally scaled down. The descritpion of the first main member 12 is equally applicable to the second main member 16. It should be understood that, although this first embodiment depicts two main members 12 and 16, the present invention also contemplates display apparatuses having both more or less than two main members.

An upright support structure 20, comprising a central shaft 22 and three legs 24a, 24b, and 240, provides the means for supporting main members 12 and 16 in their horizontal operating positions. Upright structure 20 is adapted to stand on a floor wherever it is placed. This portability of display apparatus 10 adds considerably to the flexibility which it affords its users. The vertical axis 26 of central shaft 22 passes through the imaginary centers of the horizontal spaces defined by main members 12 and 16. Main member 12 is rotatably coupled to the central shaft 22 by conventional rotatable couplers 30 and 32. Connecting members 26a, 26b,

members 28a, 28b and 280 inter-connect comers 13a,

13c and 13e of main member 12 to rotatable coupler 32.-Connecting members 26a, 26b, 26c and 28a, 28b, 28c are typically spot welded to their respective corners 13 on the one end, and fastened to couplers 30 and 32 by conventional fastening means on the other. Rotatable couplers 30 and 32 in embodiment 10 are disc-shaped plates rotatably affixed to the central shaft 22.

Main member 16 is also rotatably coupled to the central shaft 22 by conventional rotatable couplers 36 and 38. The coupling and connecting means described hereinabove with respect to main members 12 and 90 so. as to provide a horizontal support structure adapted to receive and support an identification tag 40.

With reference to FIG. 3, the use of the display apparatus 10 is explained. A band 50, holding a fan belt 52, is slipped over vertical member 14 and engaged thereby. Vertical member 14, in cooperation with rod 12a, supports band 50 and thereby enables the display of fan belt 52. A second band 50, holding a fan belt 52', is similarly slipped over vertical member 14 and engaged thereby. Fan belt 52 is displayed outside of main member 12 while fan belt 52 is displayed within the inner space defined by main member 12. The operation of main member 16 is identical to that just described with respect to main member 12.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to FIG. 4. This second embodiment of the invented display apparatus is designated by reference numeral 60. Display apparatus 60 is comprised of a horizontally disposed linear main member 62 consisting of two parallel rods 62a and 62b which come together at one end to join a horizontal support arm 64 which is disposed 90 from the main member 62.

Afiixed to the main member 62 along its entire length is a plurality of paired vertical members 74 and 74' adapted to engage and hold the bands typically used on banded merchandise. All vertical members 74 are disposed on one side of the main member 62, while all vertical members 74 are disposed on the other side of main member 62. Thus, display apparatus 60 has the means for displaying banded merchandise on both sides of its main member 62. Vertical members 74 and 74' can be spot welded to rods 62a and 62b, or in the alternative. they can be stamped out as one integral structure with main member 62 from, for example, 18 gauge sheet metal.

Support arm 64, at its end opposite from the main member 62 turns 90 downward so as toprovide a vertically disposed end 66. End 66 is adapted to rotatably engage a conventional wall-mounted (or pegboardmounted) holding means 68. In normal use end 66 is secured in holding. means 68 so as to cause main member 62 to be aligned in a direction parallel to the wall. Support arm 6'4 may either be spot welded to the main member 62 or stamped out as an integral part thereof.

A third rod 620, parallel to rods 62a and 62b and joined to support arm 64 at one end, may be included as a means for supporting conventional label holding means 72. Holding means 72 is adapted to engage rod 62c and provides identification of the merchandise on display.

The manner in which display apparatus 60 supports and displays banded merchandise is identical to that described above with respect to display apparatus 10. In particular, the view depicted in FIG. 3 is equally ap plicable to embodiment 60.

With reference to FIG. 5, a first alternate embodiment of a typical pair of vertical members 84 and 84' is depicted. The sole difference relates to the means by which identification or inventory tag is engaged. In this alternate embodiment, leg 82a of vertical member 84 turns i.e., turns to the horizontal, at the approximate midway point between rods 12a and 12b so as to provide a horizontal portion 86. A second turn of leg 82a provides a second horizontal portion 88 displaced from portion 86 by a gap 89. Tag 80 is adapted to be press fit through gap 89 and to be engaged and supported by horizontal portions 86 and 88 of leg 82a.

With reference to FIG. 6, a second alternate embodiment of a typical pair of vertical members 94 and 94' is depicted. In this embodiment, legs 92a and 92b of verti- -ca1 member 94 each turn 180 at their lower ends before looping over rods 12a and 12b. Small gaps 99a and 99b are thereby formed between the lower portions of legs 92a and 92b in the front and the portions 96a and 96b behind, i.e., following the 180 turn. An identification tag 90 is adapted to be press fit along each of its two sides through gaps 99a and 99b respectively, and, thus, to be engaged and supported by the portions of legs 92a and 92b which form the gaps 99a and 99b.

With reference to FIG. 7, a third alternate embodiment of a typical pair of vertical members 104 and 104 is depicted. In this embodiment, vertical members 104 and 104 are flat, stake-like members joined together by conventional clipping means 106 adapted to engage securely with rods 12a and 12b. Identification indicia 108 can be either affixed to or painted upon the flat outer surface of vertical member 104. Clipping means 106 enables any selected pair of vertical members 104 and 104' to be clipped onto (or removed from) rods 12a and 12b. When a change of merchandiserequires a corresponding change of identification, a new pair of vertical members, having the appropriate identification indicia, can be readily installed, and the former vertical members removed. I

With reference to FIG. 8, a fourth alternate embodiment of a typical pair of vertical members 1 14 and 114 is depicted. In this embodiment, legs 1 12a and 1 12a on one side and ll2b'and l12b on the second side are adapted to form at their lower ends spring-loaded clips 116a and 116b. Clips 116a and 116b have curved surfaces 118a and 118b respectively, designed to engage rods 12a and 12b and thereby secure vertical members 114 and 114' to rods 12; and 12b.

Other embodiments, modifications and extensions of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations which basically rely on the teachings which this invention has advanced are consecure means for identification; sidered within the spirit and scope of this invention. b. an upright support member, adapted to standon a I claim: floor, having a vertical axis which passes through a 1. A display apparatus for banded merchandise comfirst center of a first enclosed space defined by said prising: first main member and a second center of a second enclosed space defined by said second main member, said first and second enclosed spaces being concentric;

c. first and second rotatable couplers fixedly secured a. first and second horizontally disposed concentric circumferential main members, each having disposed around its periphery a plurality of pairs of vertical members, each of said pairs consisting of first and second vertical members adapted to en- 10 t0 Said prigh PP f fi ef at first and Second gage and hold the bands of said banded merchanpositions along vertlcal o and dise, said plurality of first vertical members being 11- first means for inter-connecting said first mam disposed on the outer sides of said first and second member to Sa 1d first rotatflble q p and secolld main members and joined thereto at their lower means for {"terconnectmg 531d second mam ends, and said plurality of second vertical memm to Sald Second {otatable coupler, whereby bers being disposed on the inner sides of said first first and second mam p supported and second main members and joined thereto at by and rotataPly coupled to sald P i h pp their lower end; said first and second main memf 531C! first and Second p f along bers each being comprised of first and second 531d *f and each band of l banfled horizontally disposed circumferential rods pined merchandlse is engaged by one Sald yemcfil to one another and held in a parallel spaced relamefnbers and suppofted cPoperauvely by 531d tion by said lower ends of said plurality of vertical mam member Sald Vertical member as l members; Said i f i l rods defining and place on display said merchandise held within said enclosing a hexagonal space, said plurality of first band vertical members being adapted to engage and 

1. A display apparatus for banded merchandise comprising: a. first and second horizontally disposed concentric circumferential main members, each having disposed around its periphery a plurality of pairs of vertical members, each of said pairs consisting of first and second vertical members adapted to engage and hold the bands of said banded merchandise, said plurality of first vertical members being disposed on the outer sides of said first and second main members and joined thereto at their lower ends, and said plurality of second vertical members being disposed on the inner sides of said first and second main members and joined thereto at their lower end; said first and second main members each being comprised of first and second horizontally disposed circumferential rods joined to one another and held in a parallel spaced relation by said lower ends of said plurality of vertical members, said circumferential rods defining and enclosing a hexagonal space, said plurality of first vertical members being adapted to engage and secure means for identification; b. an upright support member, adapted to stand on a floor, having a vertical axis which passes through a first center of a first enclosed space defined by said first main member and a second center of a second enclosed space defined by said second main member, said first and second enclosed spaces being concentric; c. first and second rotatable couplers fixedly secured to said uPright support member at first and second positions along said vertical axis thereof; and d. first means for inter-connecting said first main member to said first rotatable coupler and second means for interconnecting said second main member to said second rotatable coupler, whereby said first and second main members are supported by and rotatably coupled to said upright support member at said first and second positions along said vertical axis, and each band of said banded merchandise is engaged by one of said vertical members and supported cooperatively by said main member and said vertical member so as to place on display said merchandise held within said band. 